It is a small plant, with sickle-shaped greyish-green leaves (hence the name), lilac-violet flowers and darker veining, and a white or yellow beard.

It has a thick, short, rhizome,[2][3][4] that produces nut-like segments, one per year, that spread to create small dense tufts of plants.

[3][4][5] On top of the rhizome are the fibrous remains of the previous seasons leaves,[3][4][5] underneath are thick fleshy roots.

[3][4][5] They are greenish tinted purplish, partially membranous, with a hyaline (clear and translucent) margin.

[6][9] The standards are lanceolate, narrow, with a canaliculate (small channel) on the haft (section of the petal closest to the stem).

[2][3][5] As most irises are diploid, having two sets of chromosomes, this can be used to identify hybrids and classification of groupings.

[19] In 2004, Carol Wilson carried out a study on various irises including Iris falcifolia.

She thought that the iris was misplaced and that it had a bulb instead of a rhizome, so should be placed with the Juno (Scorpiris) section.

[19] In 2011, a molecular study was carried out and replaced the iris back within the Hexapogon section.

[21] Iris falcifolia is native to temperate and tropical regions of central Asia.

[12][17][20] It is found in temperate regions of Afghanistan,[17][18][22] Iran,[12][17][18] (in the former states of USSR),[16] in Turkmenistan,[17][18] Uzbekistan,[3][17][18] and Kazakhstan.

[4] Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (rhizome and leaves), if mistakenly ingested can cause diarrhoea, stomach pains and vomiting.

[12][13] In Baluchistan (Pakistan), 10g of ground flowers (not just the pistils) are mixed with liquid yoghurt and then drunk in the mornings and evenings, as a herbal remedy for dysentery.